Elastomeric nanocomposites as cell delivery vehicles and cardiac support devices

A new family of elastomeric nanocomposites has been developed from a soft elastomer poly(glycerol sebacate, PGS) and nanoparticles of Bioglass®. The new nanocomposites have been characterised in terms of materials science and evaluated for their potential clinical applications as cell delivery vehicles and cardiac support devices in the heart patch strategy. The addition of alkaline Bioglass® effectively counteracts the acidity caused by the degradation of PGS without severely compromising the compliance of PGS. As a result, the newly developed PGS–nanoBioglass (<5 wt%) composites have a greatly improved biocompatibility, compared to PGS, and remain mechanically compatible with heart muscle. The interaction between PGS and Bioglass® and the reinforcement of the PGS polymer network by the nanoBioglass® particles have also been explored in depth.